Page 4 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 10-7-2015

Opinion
Page 4 • Oct. 7, 2015
Under The
Golden Dome, Too
Representative Linda Upmeyer
515-281-3221
[email protected]
Autumn is finally upon us which
brings one of my favorite times of the
year in Iowa. Pumpkin patches, foot-
ball, and harvest season fill our week-
ends, and we’re treated to absolutely
gorgeous weather while we watch the
leaves change colors. It’s truly hard to
think of a better time of year.
In talking over the last few
months with farmers across Iowa,
I’m hearing more and more about the
sluggish farm economy. Agriculture
and rural communities are the back-
bone of Iowa and our economy so it’s
important to keep an eye on what is
going on with our farmers. This year
has been especially tough for our live-
stock and crop farmers in dealing with
both the avian flu and the decline in
commodity prices.
We saw a high in corn and soy-
bean prices in 2012 and 2013, and
while production has remained steady,
demand has decreased internationally,
lowering prices to levels that haven’t
been seen since 2010. Forecasters
have estimated that this year, farm in-
comes will be down about 36 percent
compared to last year. Even with the
expected bumper crop harvest, it is
still going to be tough for crop farmers
to pull in a profit as the high supply of Legislature makes unsustainable com-
grain continues to bring down prices.
This means that farmers are trying
to find ways to cut costs so that they
can run their businesses, put food on
the table for their families, and feed
America.
The Avian Flu has also had a ma-
jor impact on agriculture in Iowa as
it has devastated poultry production.
Bird flu, as it’s commonly referred
to, wiped out over 34 million birds
in the state, ranging from egg-laying
hens to turkeys being raised for meat.
I’m relatively confident that after this
25 Years Ago
October 1990
Clear Lake police are seeking a
10 percent increase in pay and more
paid days off in their initial proposal
to the City of Clear Lake. The Team-
sters have asked that the police officers the Vikings downed Dows/CAL, 14-
receive a 10 percent pay hike. Also,
sergeants and detectives should get an
additional $75 more per month than
the highest paid patrolman.
The level of Clear Lake, as record-
ed Tuesday, Oct. 2, was 29.28” below
the spillway.
Karla Lewerke, the daughter of
Curtis and Julie Lewerke, was named
as Clear Lake High School’s home-
coming queen in a coronation cer-
emony held Friday. Queen Karla
was treated to a victory as the Lions
downed Eagle Grove.
Megan Coe and Chris Cash were
selected as the Homecoming queen
and king at Ventura Schools. The
pair reigned over a successful Home-
coming for the Vikings, who defeated
Dows/CAL. Megan is the daughter of
Don and Judy Coe, while Chris is the
son of Jim and Tyra Cash.
Clubs featured in “Club News”
included: Bonded Hearts, Beta Omi-
cron Beta Sigma Phi, Progress Club,
Single Adults Renewed Beginnings,
PMS Support Group, Sons of Nor-
way, and North Iowa Quilter’s Guild.
Mark C. Hewitt has been ap-
pointed a vice president, commercial
lending for the Valley National Bank,
Des Moines, Iowa. He is the son of
12 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA. 50428 • Ph. • 641-357-2131 • Fax • 641-357-2133
Kim Ritter Kathleen Thul
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John Schmidt
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bird flu outbreak, the state is ready to
respond to such a crisis if it were to
happen again.
Finally, farmland values are also
declining from what we are used to
seeing over the past several years. A
recent survey showed that cropland
values fell 3.7 percent across the state providers.
over the last six months and 11.7 per-
cent compared to a year prior. Ac-
cording to the September 2015 Iowa
Chapter of Realtors Land Institute’s
Land Trends and Values Survey, land
value decreases ranged from as low as
1.9 percent in west-central Iowa to
a high of 15.1 percent in northeast
Iowa.
These things affect all of our com-
munities because so many of our main
street businesses provide some form of
input to those farm operations…from
start to finish, farmers rely on those
products and services in order to do
their work.
With the instability in the farm
economy, it’s a good time to remember
why I am so committed to managing
the state’s budget like a family bud-
get. Iowa families don’t spend more
than they bring in, and we believe the
state should do the same. When the
mitments and revenue doesn’t grow at
the pace we’d like, or decreases (like
in 2009), it leads to a bad fiscal situ- bursement rates. Medicaid recipients
ation. The Legislature must be judi-
cious with Iowan’s tax dollars and not
overspend to score political points.
While this is a difficult time for
the state’s primary industry, I’m confi- care for them need more time. That’s
dent we will be able to overcome this
situation and develop a sustainable
budget next session. We have to play
with the hand we’re dealt, and while it
may be tough, I believe the Legislature
will be able to come back in January
and persevere through it.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hewitt, of Clear
Lake.
It was a happy Homecoming for
both the Clear Lake Lions and the
Ventura Vikings football teams. Clear
Lake topped Eagle Grove, 47-6, while
12.
The Ventura volleyball team has
kept up its winning tradition this
season, beating Newman, Rockwell/
Swaledale, Nora Springs, Dows, and
Corwith-Wesley, Luverne. Julie Bu-
chanan is serving at 96 percent to lead
the team. Megan Coe has an average
of 3.6 ace serves a game.
Jason Simmer led the Clear Lake
cross country team with a ninth place
finish in 18:29. Rob Doebel crossed
the line just behind Simmer. Sara
Wempen led the girl’s team with a 12th
place overall finish in 14:11. Elise Den games of baseball between the
Hartog was right behind her for 13th
place.
50 Years Ago
September 1965
September of 1965 already has
gone into the books as the soggiest
September in at least 25 years. As of
Tuesday the month’s rainfall has to-
taled 12.20”, which is 8.26” above
normal.
Robert Tanner has acquired sole
ownership of the Corner Drug and
R&W Prescription Shop. Tanner’s
purchase of the interest of Jack Rosa-
lind was effective Sept. 10.
The latest guessing game in Clear
Serving Clear Lake & Ventura
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Amanda Ragan The Senior
Connection
State Senator
Have a need for new friends? Perhaps have your noon meal pre-
515-281-3371 or 641-424-0874 pared for you each week day? Enjoy getting out and doing activities
[email protected] with others in your age bracket and abilities? If so, the Clear Lake
Senior Citizens Center can fill all of those needs and many more.
Stop in at the Senior Citizens Center, located at 105 South 4th
Many Iowans are expressing federal taxpayers and to Iowans who Street, Clear Lake, to find out when you can come and play pool, or
concern about Governor Branstad’s need these services. We need to make take part in a good game of 500 cards. Maybe you are interested in
unilateral decision to privatize Iowa’s sure, for example, that patient out- taking part in the exercise programs, helping with the ongoing jigsaw
Medicaid program. If fully imple- comes continue to improve and that puzzles or just sitting and visiting with the many other folks from the
mented, the decision would have access to health care is not decreased. community who make the Senior Center the place where they go to
negative impacts on Iowa’s most vul- We all need to work together to enjoy their day.
nerable citizens and Iowa’s healthcare make sure quality health care services We are the subcontractors for the Congregate Meals and Meals on
remain available to local seniors, peo- Wheels programs in the community. Won’t you come and be a part of
I’m concerned people in our ple with physical and mental disabili- the meals, programs or activities? We want and need you! For more
communities will be denied critical ties, and mothers and children. information call 641-357-5443.
medical services and local providers If you are concerned about the
will not be adequately reimbursed for privatization of Iowa Medicaid, make Good time at Renaissance Festival
the medical care of patients. The long- your voice heard. I’ll be hosting a
term care of severely disabled adults listening post. Please join me if the Nancy Nickerson and Steve Adair took time out to share the Clear Lake Mir-
and children makes up the bulk of changes to Medicaid will impact you ror Reporter with a pirate at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee,
Medicaid services in Iowa. Medicaid or your loved ones. The meeting will Minn. Nancy and Steve thanked the Mirror Reporter for sharing tickets with
also covers prenatal care to pregnant take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, them. The couple found the ‘clue’ during a contest sponsored by the Mirror-
women, health insurance for low- in the NIACC Conference Center, Reporter. -Submitted photo
income children, and health care for 500 College Drive in Mason City.
low-income seniors and others. I also encourage you to share your
The plan is to turn over the care views with the Centers for Medicare
of more than a half-million Iowans— & Medicaid Services by writing to
one in five Iowans—to four managed Andrew Slavitt, acting administrator
care companies by Jan. 1, 2016. With at the Centers for Medicare & Medic-
this change, we will see administra- aid Services, at [email protected].
tive costs jump from 3 to 15 percent, gov or 7500 Security Boulevard, Bal-
reaching $600 million. At the same timore, MD 21244.
time, the overall cost to the state is To learn more about privatizing
supposed to fall by $100 million a Medicaid in Iowa, go to www.dhs.
year. iowa.gov/ime/about/initiatives/Med-
The managed care companies icaidModernization. In addition, the
have yet to sign contracts with the Iowa Department of Human Services
state, so providers are being asked to is hosting meetings to help local Io-
sign contracts that don’t include reim- wans understand what the transition
means for them. These include:
and their families have good reason to Friday, Oct. 30, 5 to 7 p.m.,
be worried about the future. North Iowa Area Community Col-
Iowans who depend on Medicaid lege, Rm MH 104G (500 College
and the people and organizations that Drive, Mason City).
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 4 to 7 p.m.,
why I’m calling on the federal Centers Hawkeye Community College, Tama
for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hall (1501 E. Orange Road, Water-
to reject the Governor’s plan to put loo).
Iowa’s Medicaid Program in private Medicaid recipients with ques-
hands or make major changes to it. tions or concerns can call Member
The federal government invests a Services at 1-800-338-8366. Ques-
significant amount in Iowa Medicaid tions from providers should be di-
services. We have a responsibility to rected to the Provider Services Call
Center at 1-800-338-7909.
REMEMBER WHEN
Lake is who will throw their hats into It cost Mr. and Mrs. David Lants spring, $7.50; assistance through river, baths are served.
the ring for municipal offices. Two of and son only $44.50 to travel by au- $1.30; toll at Santa Fe bridge at Nee- The Leader has some bargains this
the five city councilmen have indicated tomobile from Santa Ana, Calif. to dles, $3.50. They camped out every week: coffee, lb., 28¢; stove pipe, 10¢
they will not seek re-election and none Waterloo, Iowa. They were 13 days night and were not molested. a joint; tatting shuttles, 5¢; alumi-
of the remaining three has committed on the Santa Fe trail and their mile- Wayne Barlow, son of George Bar- num collapsible cups, 5¢; black sateen
himself. Mayor B.C. Myer is also on age was 3,000; 124 gallons of gasoline low, is now in charge of the first floor bloomers, 30¢; and automobile tires,
the fence. cost $23; 12 gallons of oil, $9; broken of the Park Hospital, where Turkish $8.50 each.
An out-manned Clear
Lake football team dropped
its North Central opener in a
wide open game at Lion’s Field.
The game was a thriller from
start to finish, but Humboldt
prevailed, 19-7.
85 Years Ago
October 1930
C.A. Knutson and Ray
Sandry will motor to St. Louis
to witness the World Series
Athletics and Cardinals.
Samuel Kennedy, Sr.
passed away at his home on
East Main Street. He has been
in poor health the past two
years, but had only been con-
fined to his bed about a week
ago. He was 87 years of age
and had resided on the same
farm 30 years.
The most dangerous
things on the roads around
Little readers from 1990Clear Lake these days is a six-
cylinder car run by a one-cyl-
inder brain.
Books for all ages, including young readers like (L-R): Theresa Hanley, Matthew and Laura Scribbins, and Catherine
Brogrammer, were featured at the Friends of the Library’s annual book sale in 1990. The sale was held at the Clear Lake
100 Years Ago Library. A large variety of books were available for purchase, most for 25¢ each.
September 1915
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